Guatemala to AIPAC: Will Move Embassy to Jerusalem in May

The Fellowship  |  March 5, 2018

Just two days after the United States moves its embassy from Tel Aviv to the Holy City, another nation will follow suit. The Times of Israel’s Eric Cortellessa reports that Guatemalan President Jimmy Morales has told AIPAC that Guatemala’s embassy will also move to Jerusalem this May:

Guatemala’s president told the AIPAC Policy Conference on Sunday night that he will move his country’s embassy to Jerusalem in May, and that the relocation will take place two days after the United States moves its embassy to the holy city, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of Israel’s founding.

“In May of this year, we will celebrate Israel’s 70th anniversary, and under my instructions two days after the US will move its embassy, Guatemala will return and permanently move its embassy to Jerusalem,” President Jimmy Morales told a crowd of more than 18,000 gathered in the nation’s capital for the annual confab.

“This decision strongly evidences Guatemala’s continued support of Israel,” he went on. “And we are sure that many other countries will follow in our steps.”

In 1959, Guatemala was the first country to open its embassy in Jerusalem, but later moved it to Tel Aviv following international rejection of Israeli claims to East Jerusalem…

Morales said on Sunday night that Trump’s decision was an impetus for his. “I would like to thank President Trump for leading the way,” he said. “His courageous decision has encouraged us to do what is right…”